EQUATIONS CONTAINING VARIABLES UNDER ONE OR MORE RADICALS

Recall the following:

• In order to solve for x, you must isolate x.
• In order to isolate x, you must remove it from under the radical.
• If there are two radicals in the equation, isolate one of the radicals.
• Then raise both sides of the equation to a power equal to the index of the isolated radical.
• Isolate the remaining radical
• Raise both sides of the equation to a power equal to the index of the isolated radical.
• You should now have a polynomial equation. Solve it.
• Remember that you did not start out with a polynomial; therefore, there may be extraneous solutions. Therefore, you must check your answers.

Work the following problems. Click on solution, if you want to review the solutions.

Problem 2.5a:

Solution.

Problem 2.5b:

Solution.

Problem 2.5c:

Solution.

Problem 2.5d:

Solution.

If you would like to go back to the equation table of contents, click on Contents.

[Algebra] [Trigonometry] [Geometry] [Differential Equations] [Calculus] [Complex Variables] [Matrix Algebra]

S.O.S MATHematics home page

Copyright © 1999-2004 MathMedics, LLC. All rights reserved.
Math Medics, LLC. - P.O. Box 12395 - El Paso TX 79913 - USA